Maryam Banikarim

Maryam Banikarim is a convener, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller, and host of The Messy Parts Podcast, where she explores the real stories behind success—the setbacks, pivots, and hard-won victories that shape extraordinary careers. Drawing from her own journey, she creates spaces for honest conversation, connection, and belonging.

A seasoned C-suite executive with over 25 years leading growth and transformation for global organizations including Fortune Media, Nextdoor, Hyatt, Gannett, NBCUniversal, and Univision, Maryam blends strategic vision with operational execution and a leadership style rooted in authenticity and collaboration. In 2024, she revitalized Fortune’s Most Powerful Women and Brainstorm Tech communities. Since 2025, she’s served as Chair of the WSJ Institute’s CMO Council. And in 2026, she officially co-founded The Interval—a startup peer community for senior executives navigating career transitions—a group that grew organically for the past 18 months.

Maryam has built grassroots movements that spark connection and joy. She co-founded the non-profit NYCNext during the pandemic to rally artists and neighbors in support of New York and helped lead the WE ❤️NYC campaign, a citywide initiative to reignite pride and belonging. Today NYCNext’s main focus is The Longest Table, a free potluck that rebuilds trust one table at a time, having grown to 50 across the US in 2025.

A sought-after speaker, Maryam has delivered keynotes for Pfizer, Disney, Points of Light, Ally Financial, and Columbia Business School, and captured national attention with her TED Talk, “Life’s an obstacle course—here’s how to navigate it.” Her achievements have been recognized among Fast Company’s “Top 10 Disruptors,” New York Post’s “50 Most Powerful Women in NYC,” and Advertising Age’s “Women to Watch.”

Maryam holds degrees from Barnard College, Columbia Business School, and Columbia’s School of International Affairs, and lives in New York City with her family and dog, Charlie.